Chapter 1105: Envoy Gains Fame

From a broader perspective, Da Yu should be considered as sharing the realm with the aristocratic clans.

These clans control culture, economy, and martial arts.

While there are indeed Jianghu forces like Lu Jia Village that have no ties to the court, these are merely exceptions; overall, the martial arts lineages still tend to fall under the clan system.

Chen Wuji broke all of this—implementing land to the people, open education, controlling martial arts, while simultaneously achieving his centralization.

Now, within his sphere of influence, the most significant stronghold of martial arts inheritance is the military.

He has not banned the Jianghu, but today, whether in Nan Jun or Nanyue Jun, the Jianghu sects are under government supervision; they can no longer easily provoke sect wars, slaughter villages, or destroy strongholds as they once did.

"These forty thousand ordinary soldiers organized into two armies—regarding the selection of officers at all levels, pick from the Military Merit Ledger; if you have objections, report early, for if you delay and then come to me whining, I have no time to coddle children!" Chen Wuji sat upright, "Now speak of the Uyghurs—who previously volunteered?"

"My lord, it is I, the Deputy General!" Xie Fengxian stood up.

"The Vanguard's throne—today it looks set to change hands." Chen Wuji laughed and teased, "Old Qian, have you been timid today?"

"Timid?" Qian Fugui sprang to his feet, "My lord, the Deputy General would never be timid—it's just that today I didn't get the chance; if Xie Fengxian doesn't go, then I will!"

Xie Fengxian narrowed his eyes slightly, "Qian Fugui, I advise you to just sit quietly—how many times have you been a defeated general under my command? In this ice and snow, the Uyghur lands are no place for you."

"I was letting you win!"

"Tsk, I truly don't see why I need you to let me win—I actually wouldn't mind losing a few times, to sum up the lessons of defeat, but you won't even give me the chance—how regrettable."

"Xie Fengxian, losing on the drill field doesn't mean I can't fight on the battlefield!"

"I know you're capable on the battlefield, but you can't even beat me—if you went to war, I'd truly worry for you, especially without supplies, without reinforcements, deep in enemy territory alone."

"You bastard, cut the nonsense—let's fight again!"

"No, I need to prepare for the campaign—soldiers must rest and build their strength."

"I mean you, and you, and me!"

"Then I won't fight either—I also need to rest and build my strength."

……

Xu Zengyi watched the two shouting, saliva flying, then glanced at Chen Wuji, eyes bright from watching the spectacle, and silently rubbed his face twice.

He was truly worried!

Encountering a lord who loves to stir trouble—what can he do?

What else can he do?

……He can only act as a peacemaker.

"That's about enough—say two less words each, facing the lord—what decorum is this!" Xu Zengyi shouted.

"This campaign is a risky plan—no matter which route the troops take, they will face a dire situation: no reinforcements, no supplies, and only their swords in hand, with Mount Buzhou behind them and the lord."

"No matter who goes, consider these things carefully before speaking—do not act on impulse; this is an extremely perilous war, not child's play."

As Xu Zengyi finished speaking, Xie Fengxian immediately bowed his fists toward Chen Wuji and said, "My lord, the Deputy General volunteers!"

He shouted this with decisive force, full of vigor.

"Have you considered it carefully?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Yes!" Xie Fengxian said, "This is the wish of all officers and soldiers under my command."

Chen Wuji nodded, "Then it's yours—choose the day of departure yourself, and I will see it through for you, build momentum, and slay them in the winter they thought was safe and sound."

"Yes!"

Not only Xie Fengxian was interested in the Uyghurs—when he spoke, Chen Wuji noticed Chen Baojia, Feng Linchuan, and others also showing eager expressions, though Xie Fengxian spoke first and thus no others acted.

Chen Wuji enjoyed such scenes.

The soldiers do not fear or dread battle—instead, everyone wishes to advance—what does he have to fear from failure?

……

In the eleventh month of winter, when all things should be resting and recuperating, this winter is destined to be neither peaceful nor ordinary.

After years of chaotic governance, Da Yu has utterly collapsed into open disorder; self-proclaimed Zhoujun sprout like bamboo after rain, Kua Zhou Lian Jun are too numerous to count, and the strong have even achieved Chen Wuji's feat of an old rebel sweeping multiple commanderies.

For example, the Bei Fang San Jun.

The border commander who has guarded the northern frontier for years, with a single wave of his great banner, swept through three commanderies in months, shook the north, and raised the banner of Houwang Zhuzei.

The court has utterly lost its dignity—any order sent to the localities is mere waste paper, not even a spark can be struck from it, and sometimes it is even mocked openly by various local lords issuing proclamations.

Like nesting dolls, Ruan Yuchang and his two allies, who long plotted control of Jingji, now seem to have lost their initiative.

The three currently control only Jingji and a few Zhongyuan commanderies—each situation similar, Ruan Yuchang holds the most land, but only one and a half commanderies.

The Wise King is the weakest, possessing only seven Zhoujun, not even achieving the feat of one commandery.

Yet across the realm, there are still many Zhoujun that have not declared independence.

But when facing court orders, these Zhoujun mostly respond with perfunctory compliance.

Most edicts are accepted in name, but the vast majority of matters are simply not carried out.

Amidst this national atmosphere, Chen Wuji has once again firmly occupied Da Yu's hot search list.

However, this time it is not Chen Wuji achieving a new feat, but his envoy.

The disciples of Jia Yujing wildly spread news of their rampage through Shangfang Commandery—unknown by what channel it leaked, but now it is nearly nationwide knowledge.

"Chen Gong is mighty—even his envoys go out so domineering, making me think of the ancient sages. I don't know when he will cross the great river, enter Zhongyuan, so I may behold his majesty!"

In one of the Zhongyuan Jiu Jun, Henei Jun, an ordinary tavern, several scholars raised cups and drank freely, perhaps the wine had gone to their heads, and the speaker did not hide his voice or his admiration for Chen Wuji.

The fellow scholar at the table, also a man of feeling, upon hearing this, all echoed in agreement.

"I too have never heard of envoys daring to threaten local lords—if they refuse, they draw their swords. How dare they do this? Are they all unafraid of death?!"

"Qi Brother, 'Scholar dies for his true friend'—if I encountered a lord like Chen Gong, I would also take up my sword and go out as an envoy; if any bastard refuses my terms, I will run him through with my sword, or be run through by him—either way, I will contest him for a place in history!"

"How did they say that line? 'Offend the Han Envoy, though far, must be punished!' If you dare move against me, you will surely die—high or low, you must die. If others said this, I would not believe it, but coming from Chen Gong's mouth, laborers believe it to death!"